Aberdeenshire Council is to cut how much money it offers to people willing to downsize their homes.
The authority’s social work committee will discuss a report this week which suggests only the moving costs of people who want to switch homes should be covered – to a maximum of £2,000.
The proposal comes following two year of payments, which are not advertised by the council, totalling £19,207.
Last year, three grants were awarded at a cost of £12,032 and this year two tenants have been handed a share of £7,175 so far.
Stephen Archer, the council’s director of infrastructure services, has said the money awarded is proof that cash is not an incentive for people to downsize.
In his report to be presented to committee members on Thursday, he states: “Assessing previous awards it is felt that the under occupation grant is not the deciding factor in someone’s decision to move.
“If an applicant has made the decision to apply to be on the waiting list, they have done so before a grant has been considered.”
It is suggested that the scheme is replaced with a discretionary system.
Tenants would be able to apply for up to £2,000 which would be spent to help with moving costs.
To be handed the cash, however, they would have to apply for the fund before accepting the offer of a new home.
“There must be a reasonable demand for the property they are moving from,” added Mr Archer.
The current budget for covering downsizing costs is £30,000.
Under the new system, Aberdeenshire Council will set aside just £10,000.
